Process of treating broom corn



Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK R. LAY, OF'INDIANAI OLIS, INDIANA.

PROCESS OF TREATING BROOM CORN.

No Drawing.

The object of this invention is to make broom corn fibre moredurable, and to that end to make the fibre toughened and water proof and its pithy center hardened.

Plain untreated broom corn fibre is usually very'brittle and dry and absorptive of water and its center is pithy, whereby the fibre is diflicult to manipulate in making brooms, and readilybreaks during the pronot limited to treatment of the broom corn after the broom is formed, as it may be treated previously if desired.

The first step of the process is to subject the broom corn fibre to a hot solution of strong lime water, so as to open the pores of the broom corn fibre.

The second step in the process is to subject the broom corn fibre after the hot lime 1 water treatment, to heated solution of iiquid creosote, so that the creosote will penetrate the shell or outer hard surface por- This objectionable condition of the Application filed January 18, 1927. Serial No. 161,949.

tion of the broom corn fibre and also penetrate the pith of the fibre.-

The effect of this treatment of the fibre is to crystallize the pith and toughen and water proof the shell of the broom corn fibre, whereby it is rendered very durable as it will not be brittle so as to break easily and it'will be water proof so as to .remain for a very long time in its normal condition after such treatment and not decay and be come brittle and break. The broomcorn fibre treated with this process will wear two or three times as long as it would if untreated, depending upon the character of service and whether wet or dry; .and the process is a relatively simple andinexpensive one.

The invention claimed is:

l. The process of treating broom corn fibre, which process consists 1n sub ecting thefibre to a hot solution of lime water, and

thereafter subjecting the fibre to a heated preparation of creosote.

2. The process of treating broom corn fibre, which process consists in forming fibre into a broom, subjecting the lower portion of the broom fibre to a hot solution of lime water, and thereafter subjecting said broom fibre to a heated preparation of creosote, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto alfixed my signature.

' FRANK R. LAY. 

